Khamenei declares ‘the battle begins’

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sent a series of apocalyptic messages as US President Donald Trump continues to weigh his options on the ongoing war between the Iranian regime and Israel.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shared a post on X post Tuesday night that included a disturbing picture with balls of fire raining down on an ancient city.

‘In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins,’ he wrote in Farsi, referring to Ali - whom Shia Muslims consider the first Imam and the rightful successor to the prophet Mohammed, Daily Mail reported.

Khamenei also shared a separate message in English, saying: 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime.

'We will show the Zionists no mercy,' he declared.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television ominously reported that 'tonight, a great surprise will occur - one that the world will remember for centuries.'

Amid the threats, Trump is said to be considering a US strike on Tehran following Situation Room crisis talks with security advisers.

Inside sources say the US President is weighing up whether to join Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites, CBS reports.

Four U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers have already been stationed at the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean - within striking distance of Iran.

The B-52s, which can carry nuclear weapons or other precision-guided bombs, were spotted on a runway at Diego Garcia on Monday.

While those were being deployed, Trump urged Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' and even issued a death threat to Khamenei after he abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada.

He said the US knows where the Supreme Leader is hiding out, but doesn't want him killed 'for now.' 

'We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme Leader" is hiding,' the U.S. President wrote on Truth Social.

'He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.

'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,' Trump warned following reports that he nixed an Israeli request to take out Khamenei. 

The president also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, though it remains unclear what the two world leaders discussed as drone strikes between Israel and Iran continued for a fifth consecutive day.

Both Israel and Iran launched fresh strikes at each other overnight, as Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it launched a 'more powerful' new wave of missiles at Israel.

Yet Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran's army, claimed that all of the attacks 'carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence.

'The punishment operation will be carried out soon,' he warned.